Indoor Home Sauna: Benefits, Types, and Tips
Ever thought about having an indoor home Sauna? Picture this: chilling in the steam whenever you feel like it, no need to step out to a fancy spa.
Yup, you can totally make that happen with an indoor home sauna. Here, we spill all the deets on indoor saunas, from why they’re awesome to picking the perfect one for you.
What is an indoor home sauna?
An indoor home sauna? It’s this tiny, steamy room that makes you sweat a lot. Sweating’s good for you, they say. It’s been around forever, used by Finns, Turks, and Native Americans. They chill, clean, and heal in there.
Why should you get an indoor home sauna?
So, like, loads of reasons to get an indoor sauna, you know? Check it:
1. You’re all about that sauna life, but who wants to leave home?
2. Forget blowing cash at the gym or spa DIY sauna FTW.
3. Privacy vibes! No more awkward sauna encounters.
4. Make it your own: sauna, your rules.
5. Boost that home value with a sweet sauna setup.
Benefits of indoor home sauna
Using an indoor home sauna can have many benefits for your physical and mental health. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Physical benefits
Detoxification:
Saunas help detox your body. You sweat out toxins like heavy metals, chemicals, and pollutants. This boosts your immune system, metabolism, and overall health.
Pain Relief:
Saunas ease pain and inflammation. They increase blood circulation, sending more oxygen and nutrients to muscles and joints. This reduces stiffness, soreness, swelling, and helps with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain.
Skin Health:
Saunas improve skin health by opening pores through sweating and humidity, effectively cleansing dirt, oil, and bacteria, preventing acne, blackheads, infections, and promoting smoother, softer, and more radiant skin.
Mental benefits
Relaxation:
Saunas offer a serene atmosphere conducive to relaxation. The warmth and steam are calming, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, facilitating unwinding, tension release, and improved sleep.
Stress Reduction:
Sauna sessions contribute to stress and anxiety reduction. The heat and steam prompt the release of endorphins, natural mood-boosting chemicals, fostering a positive outlook, heightened confidence, and better resilience against daily stressors.
Mood Enhancement:
Sauna usage can uplift mood and mental sharpness. Increased blood flow to the brain enhances cognitive functions like memory, attention, and creativity, potentially warding off or alleviating symptoms of depression, fatigue, and mental fogginess.
Types Of Indoor Sauna For Home
There are different types of indoor home saunas that you can choose from, depending on your preferences and needs. The main types are:
Infrared Sauna:
An infrared sauna works differently from traditional ones. It uses infrared heat instead of steam to warm the body internally. It emits dry heat, which deeply penetrates the skin and muscles. Temperatures typically range from 43.33°C to 60°C.
Functionality:
Equipped with ceramic or carbon heaters, an infrared sauna emits invisible infrared rays. The body absorbs These rays, raising the core temperature to induce sweating and provide sauna benefits.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient and eco-friendly
- Comfortable for heat-sensitive individuals
- Allows targeted heating of specific body areas
Cons:
- Slower heating and sweat induction compared to traditional saunas
- Potentially lower detoxification and hydration benefits
- Not recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions like heart problems, diabetes, or pregnancy.
Steam sauna
Steam saunas, unlike others, use moist heat to elevate both temperature and humidity. They generate steam by boiling water, either with a separate steamer or a heater filled with sauna stones, operating at higher temperatures, typically between 65.56°C to 93.33°C.
How It Operates:
A steam sauna relies on a water source, like a tank, bucket, or hose, feeding into a steamer or heater. Boiling the water, the steamer or heater emits steam into the sauna, creating a hot, humid atmosphere, inducing sweating and sauna benefits.
Pros:
- Efficient and swift at inducing sweat and detoxification.
- Hydrating and soothing for the skin and respiratory system.
- Can offer a traditional sauna experience, especially with added aromatherapy oils or herbs.
Cons:
- Costlier and more complex to install and maintain.
- Uncomfortable for those unaccustomed to high heat and humidity.
- Heightened risk of mold, bacteria, or infection if not properly cleaned and sanitized.
Traditional sauna
Traditional saunas boast solid wood builds and can yield dry or moist heat. They employ wood-burning or electric heaters with sauna stones for heat and steam. Temperatures hover around 60°C to 87.78∘C.
How It Operates:
A traditional sauna houses a heater, wood-burning or electric, which warms sauna stones. These stones retain and emit heat within the sauna. By dousing water over the stones, you can regulate steam levels, creating a surge of hot, humid air that induces sweating and reaps sauna benefits.
Pros:
- Offers versatility, allowing adjustment of temperature, humidity, and aroma to personal liking.
- Exhibits durability and longevity due to its construction.
- Presents an aesthetically pleasing, natural ambiance with its wooden finish.
Cons:
- Tends to be pricier and slower to heat compared to other sauna types.
- Carries a higher risk of fire and carbon monoxide incidents without proper ventilation.
- May necessitate additional permits and adherence to regulations contingent on location and building codes.
Electric sauna
An electric sauna heats stones with electricity, emitting warmth into the room. Adding water on stones generates steam, increasing humidity. Temperature typically ranges from 65.56°C to 87.78°C.
Pros:
- Easy installation and operation via a standard electrical outlet and thermostat.
- Energy-efficient, consuming less electricity compared to other saunas.
- Customizable: adjust temperature, humidity, and aroma.
Cons:
- Expensive to purchase and maintain due to quality heater and stone requirements, along with regular cleaning and inspection.
- Prone to electrical hazards and malfunctions if improperly installed or used.
- May not offer as much detoxification and hydration as other saunas, producing less steam and sweat.
indoor dry sauna
An indoor dry sauna heats the room air using either a wood-burning or gas heater. Unlike other saunas, it doesn’t have steam or humidity, keeping temperatures typically between 82.22°C to 104.44°C.
Advantages:
- Rapid sweating and detoxification due to exposure to high heat and dry air.
- Alleviation of muscle and joint discomfort by reducing inflammation and pain.
- Authenticity resembling traditional saunas used by ancient cultures.
Drawbacks:
- Complex installation and operation, needing a dedicated gas line or wood supply and ventilation system.
- High cost and time consumption for heating and cooling, requiring more fuel and longer temperature adjustment times.
- Uncomfortable and potentially intolerable for some individuals, leading to dehydration, overheating, and respiratory issues.
Apartment sauna
An apartment sauna, small and portable, comes in two types: infrared or steam, based on heat source and humidity, operating at 43.33°C to 60°C.
Pros:
- Convenient and accessible, usable anywhere in your apartment, plugs into standard outlets.
- Affordable and economical, cheaper to buy and maintain, consumes less electricity.
- Comfortable and mild, gentle sauna experience, minimal sweating or discomfort.
Cons:
- Not as good at making you sweat or detoxify because it’s not as hot or humid.
- More likely to break down and not last as long because it’s made of cheap stuff.
- Not very roomy or comfortable, only fits one or two people, and you can’t really see outside much.
Tips for choosing and using an indoor home sauna
Exploring home saunas? Here’s a guide to selecting and utilizing one wisely:
1. Budget, space, preferences:
- Budget: Set a spending limit.
- Space: Check room dimensions.
- Preferences: Opt for infrared for tight budgets/small spaces, or traditional for authenticity.
2. Model and feature evaluation:
- Size and capacity: Determines usage capacity.
- Material quality and durability: Impacts performance and lifespan.
- Safety and warranty: Confirm compliance and defect coverage.
- Accessories: Seek add-ons such as lights, speakers, timers, thermometers.
3. Follow safety guidelines:
- Consult your doctor, especially if you have medical conditions.
- Stay hydrated before, during, and after sauna sessions.
- Start with short sessions, gradually increasing intensity.
- Avoid alcohol, drugs, or medications before sauna use.
- Don’t sauna alone; always have someone nearby for emergencies.
What Type Of Wood Is Used In A Sauna?
Various wood types are available for sauna construction, depending on factors such as heat source, humidity, and user preference. Common options include:
- Cedar: A sturdy, traditional wood with a reddish hue and pleasant scent. Resistant to mold, moisture, and temperature changes, suitable for both indoor and outdoor saunas.
- Hemlock: Light and elegant, with a creamy color and smooth texture. Resistant to mold and moisture, ideal for indoor saunas, particularly infrared ones.
- Spruce: Bright and natural, with white or yellow tones and a fine grain. Good insulation properties, suitable for indoor saunas, especially traditional ones.
- Pine: Soft and cost-effective, with a yellow or brown color and resinous aroma. Less resistant to mold and moisture, requires more maintenance for indoor saunas.
- Aspen: Light and smooth, featuring a white or pale color and subtle grain. Effective insulation, suitable for indoor saunas, often used for benches and backrests.
What Is Home Gym With Sauna?
Having a home gym with a sauna means you’ve got a fitness spot and a chill zone right at home. It’s equipped with all sorts of gear for workouts: weights, machines, mats, you name it. The sauna? It’s all about the heat and steam for detoxing. You can find different types: electric, steam, infrared, or old-school. Having one of these setups brings loads of perks: it’s handy, private, cozy, and good for your health.
Top 5 Best Home Saunas In 2024
A home sauna makes heat and moisture for chilling and good health. Various kinds exist: electric, steam, infrared, and traditional, each with pluses and minuses. Now, here’s the top 5 home saunas in 2024, rated by features, performance, and customer happiness.
1. Sun Home Equinox 2-Person Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna
Presenting the ultimate home sauna! With its full-spectrum infrared heat, it deeply penetrates your body, delivering a plethora of perks like detoxification, pain relief, improved skin health, and mood elevation.
Crafted from Canadian hemlock wood and tempered glass, its design exudes both space and elegance. Equipped with a digital control panel, LED chromotherapy light, and Bluetooth speaker, it ensures a luxurious experience.
Accommodating two individuals, it operates between 43.33°C to 60°C. Installation and usage are a breeze, backed by a lifetime warranty.
2. Plunge Home Sauna
Presenting the finest outdoor home sauna! Crafted from thermowood and stainless steel, its robust design ensures durability.
With a barrel shape accommodating six individuals, it features a wood-burning heater for dry and wet heat.
Equipped with a window, vent, and thermometer, it operates within a temperature span of 60°C to 87.78°C, resilient against adverse weather.
Though installation and operation may pose challenges, it guarantees an authentic sauna venture.
3. Sunlighten Solo System Portable Sauna
Presenting the ultimate in portable home saunas! Crafted with lightweight materials and featuring a foldable design, this sauna boasts bamboo carbon fabric and memory foam for unparalleled comfort.
Its infrared heat can precisely target various body areas like your back, legs, or neck. Equipped with a digital control panel, timer, and remote control, it offers ease of use.
Accommodating a single person, it operates within a temperature range of 37.78°C to 65.56°C. Convenient and versatile, it can be effortlessly set up anywhere in your home and connected to a standard electrical outlet.
4. Renu Therapy Rusticus 2-3 Person Home Sauna
Presenting the finest home sauna for two, boasting a snug, earthy design crafted from Canadian red cedar wood and tempered glass. This sauna offers traditional heat, capable of generating dry or moist warmth through an electric heater and sauna stones. Equipped with a digital control panel, LED illumination, and Bluetooth connectivity, it accommodates three individuals and maintains temperatures between 65.56°C to 87.78°C. Simple to set up and operate, it includes a 5-year warranty for peace of mind.
5. Sun Home Solstice 2-Person Infrared Sauna
Presenting the finest home infrared sauna! Crafted with Canadian hemlock wood and tempered glass, it boasts a sleek, modern design. Harnessing infrared heat, it delves deep into your body, offering detoxification, pain relief, skin rejuvenation, and mood enhancement. Equipped with a digital control panel, LED chromotherapy light, and Bluetooth speaker, it’s perfect for two individuals. Operating between 43.33°C to 60°C, installation is a breeze, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Conclusion
An indoor home sauna adds heaps of benefits to your home. You’ve got options – infrared, steam, or traditional. Pick what suits you. Keep budget, space, and likes in mind. Safety first! Enjoy sauna time at home.
FAQs
How much sauna time?
2-3 times a week for 15-20 minutes/session works. Adjust as you like.
How long inside?
Varies with sauna type and temp. High temp, less time. Listen to your body.
What to wear?
Your call. Comfort is key. No metal or synthetics. Flip-flops are a good idea.
Where to buy?
You can buy from us.